Ross Pearson has put his name forward to lead the UK team against Australia on The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes.

The UFC announced on Thursday evening that an international edition of the reality show will see fighters from Australia and the UK go head-to-head in a season that will echo the USA v UK series, coached by Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping.

Ross Pearson was a competitor during that season, winning the lightweight competition en route to building a UFC career that currently sees him ranked among the top contenders in the featherweight division.

The Smashes are yet to have the respective coaches of Australia and the UK confirmed, but Pearson is one of the leading candidates alongside the likes of Bisping, Dan Hardy and Brad Pickett.

Key to the coaches selection could be the Australian options, with Kyle Noke or Hector Lombard potential opposite numbers for Bisping, Brian Ebersole - who trains in Melbourne - linked to Hardy, and George Sotiropoulos an option for Pearson - albeit meaning one of them would have to change weight.

Asked on Twitter if he would be up for the job, Pearson replied: "IF I was asked to be a coach for UK vs AUS I would be pumped to help UK fighters live their dream like I did on the best show on planet."